Rafael Nadal like Dominic Thiem is well-known for returning quite back in the court. Many people wonder why some players are not using the underarm serve to shake Rafa and his returning position especially on clay. Nick Kyrgios once aced the King of Clay in Wimbledon 2019 with Rafa laughing after the shot to give the example.
Things went rather differently at the French Open where Mackenzie Mcdonald was trailing 1-6 0-4 against the Spanish legend and he had to try everything. At a certain point the American went for an underarm serve, but that didn’t go that well and Rafa punished his opponent with a huge forehand.
After the match, Nadal was asked to give his opinion about this particular shot and he commented:
“If he’s winning, is a good tactic. If he’s losing, is a bad tactic. That’s all. For example, today for Mackenzie, was not a good tactic.”
https://twitter.com/_naterzzzz/status/1311297435868770305?s=20
Nadal at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Currently the world no.2, the Spaniard has a 17-4 win-loss record in 2020. Nadal is currently playing at the French Open where he defeated Egor Gerasimov 6-4 6-4 6-2 and Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-1 6-0 6-3.
Nadal has won 1 title in 2020 in Acapulco.
Rafael won 85 titles in his career: 21 on hard courts, 59 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
